Child Welfare Specialist

One Family Illinois • Chicago, IL

6h • Hybrid

About The Position

At One Family Illinois, we uphold compassion, inclusion, integrity, and adaptability as the core values guiding our work with each other, children, families, and the community. One Family Illinois (Formerly SOS Children's Villages Illinois) is committed to keeping brothers and sisters in foster care together by providing safe, stable, and loving homes. We do this by offering an innovative approach to traditional foster care. Our model of care provides a private, single-family home, access to a community center, and support from professionally trained Foster Parents and staff. With this, the children we serve benefit from the stability of remaining with their siblings as well as the support of neighboring One Family Illinois Foster Parents and the entire community. The role involves providing services to One Family Illinois (“OFI”) children and their families in order to achieve the particular case goal as outlined and explained in the client service plan.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology or related field.
• Proficient speaking, reading and writing skills.
• One year Child Welfare Experience.
• DCFS Child Welfare Employee Licensure required.
• Ability to work with DCFS, courts and other social service systems.
• Ability to pass DCFS required criminal background check including CANTS/SACWIS and SORS.
• Valid Illinois driver's license with acceptable driving record; insured and reliable transportation.
• Ability to travel between both Villages and surrounding communities.
• Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and staff.
• Ability to relate to the Agency staff, our clients, and to the public in a courteous and professional manner.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential materials.
• Reliable, punctual, and able to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability to work in an alcohol, tobacco, drug and firearm-free environment.
• Commitment to OFI philosophy and the mission of upholding compassion, inclusion, integrity, and adaptability as the core values.

Nice To Haves

• Software experience/knowledge in the following areas preferred: Microsoft Office and SACWIS

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive case management services to OFI children, including assessment, referral, placement supervision, service plan formulation and implementation, and appropriate involvement with the OFI and biological families.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and current service reports on children and families served including timely written case notes, six-month summaries and permanency reports as required and/or requested by DCFS and OFI.
• Conduct quarterly audits of client files.
• Ensure that a healthy, safe and secure home environment and a consistency of care is provided to the children, including but not limited to, ensuring that the children receive proper medical, dental, and emotional care as required.
• Advise and consult with the Client, Foster Parent and Child Welfare Supervisor to ensure adequate understanding of the case dynamics and the needs of the Client.
• Coordinate effectively with DCFS and other community agencies for the maximum utilization of available resources to address the service goals of the cases assigned.
• Work to develop a working knowledge of community resources which may be used in serving clients and maintain a close working relationship with these resources.
• Prepare for and attend required case meetings, ACR’s, court hearings, and staffings.
• Submit reports as required by Supervisor and DCFS.
• Perform on-call duties as needed to carry out the responsibilities as required.
• Communicate problems and issues within the department to the Child Welfare Supervisor.
• Complete all mandatory agency and job-specific training, including obtaining and maintaining your CWEL license.
• Represent One Family in a professional manner to the public and guests.
• Comply with all OFI policies, state, federal, county and city laws, rules and regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Attend general agency staff meetings, in-service education/training, individual supervision, and other meetings as directed by the Village Director or Supervisor.
• Work with Foster and Bio Families and provide support when needed.

Benefits

• Work for an impactful organization with a purpose
• Corporate culture that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Hybrid/flexible work options to help balance work and life
• PTO (paid time off in the form of personal days, sick time, vacation days, and paid company holidays
• Bonus Plan for Child Welfare Specialists
• Employee Referral Bonuses
• Competitive Healthcare plans through BCBS for you and your dependents (eligible the first of the following month after 30 of FT employment)
• Vision/Dental/Life Insurance offerings
• Flexible PTO
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 403b Retirement Savings Plan (nonprofit version of 401K). Able to contribute immediately upon full-time employment. In addition, the organization will contribute 4% to your savings plan after 12 months of full-time employment regardless if you are contributing.
• Part of the federal student loan forgiveness program
• Access to financial advisors and financial education tools
• Tuition reimbursement options
• Opportunities for further education as well as time to attend trainings/workshops/etc. for personal/professional development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level